Editorial
Myocarditis—Continuing clinical and pathologic confusion

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Abstract

Myocarditis remains a controversial disease. The history and clinical features on presentation are nondiagnostic and investigation results are usually nonspecific. Endomyocardial biopsy is a useful tool, but is inconsistent in its ability to make or refute the diagnosis. Cardiac imaging contributes little to determining the cause of heart failure. Monoclonal antibodies and new serologic assays may improve diagnostic precision in the future, but there remains the difficult question as to how best to help the patient when the diagnosis of myocarditis is confirmed. Immunosuppressive therapy may be of benefit, but this has never been proven, and although newer therapies including antiviral agents show promise, rest and supportive measures remain today the only rational treatment for myocarditis.

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